Dr Jon Buscall

Argumentative Essay

Friday, November 27, 2009

 Requires you to investigate a topic,
collect, evaluate & generate evidence,
& establish a position.

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 Argument underlies all writing

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 Argument underlies all writing

you are “arguing” some point about your subject

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 Whales can be understood best when seen at sea;
whales may seem threatening but are really gentle;
whale watching has helped increase public support
for whale preservation.

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 Using informal arguments to advance the
primary purpose: explaining my
impressions of a whale watch

Whales can be understood best when seen at sea;

whales may seem threatening but are really gentle;
whale watching has helped increase public support
for whale preservation.

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 Formal arguments use expository*
patterns to convey information

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 Formal arguments use expository*
patterns to convey information

*intended to explain or describe something

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 Formal arguments must be developed
according to rules of evidence & logical
reasoning...

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 You begin composing an argument
by planning...investigating sources

Friday, November 27, 2009

 You begin composing an argument
by planning...investigating sources

Argumentative essay
assignments generally call for
extensive research of
literature or previously
published material.

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 Collect evidence...then evaluate it

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 Collect evidence...then evaluate it

record the source for your Works Cited

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 Your credibility is based on your
sources

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 Organise your argument into a draft

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 Drafting: Organising your argument (i)
Identify your audience
Establish your identity (professional)
Provide your readers with appropriate evidence

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 Your thesis is central to your
success
set the context of the essay by reviewing the topic in a general way
explain why the topic is importance (AKA exigence)
state your thesis

Introductory paragraph

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 There has been much discussion about the
use of nuclear power ever since the first
reactor was built. People who support
nuclear power think that it provides a
cheap and effective means of supplying
energy needs. However, in reality it is not
cheap at all and the dangers are well-known
after the accidents at Chernobyl and Three Mile
Island. The fact is that nuclear power is a tried,
tested and failed technology. Because of its
cost, risk and alternatives, the building of
nuclear reactors should not continue.

Sample introduction

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 Narrow down your topic
General Topic > Social Networking Websites
Narrowed Topic > Facebook
Controlling Idea > Security on Facebook

Thesis > Facebook compromises personal, emotional, and financial security

and should be shut down.

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 See page 24 b in Writing Academic English

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 Not every subject can be treated in
a formal argument

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 No point arguing about facts

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 No point arguing about facts

Smoking causes cancer

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 No point arguing about facts

Smoking causes cancer

The sale of tobacco products should be banned

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 A formal argument must focus on a
subject that can be debated

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 Opposing opinions can be supported
with evidence

A formal argument must focus on a

subject that can be debated

Friday, November 27, 2009

 Opposing opinions can be supported
with evidence

A formal argument must focus on a

subject that can be debated

Tip: when choosing a subject for

an argument, view it as a
controversy with at least two
contending sides.

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 Consider the opposition

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 Consider the opposition

Draft an argument for “their side”

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 Formulate your refutation
This is used to support your claim
Use the counter arguments to show your idea is stronger

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 Useful phrases...
It could be claimed...
It....may be asserted that...; however, ....
It might be argued...
It has been claimed / asserted / argued / suggested / noted that...; however,

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 Some people might claim that there is no
real alternative to a new generation of
nuclear reactors. However, combined heat
and power units, which generate electricity
are already economical for large houses or
blocks of flats and smaller units will be on
the market next year. Local generation of
electricity eliminates the enormous losses of
wasted heat in electricity generation by fossil
fuels or nuclear reactors. Wind turbines and
solar cells on the roof can also provide
home solutions and will become more
economical as costs come down with mass
production.

Sample refutation

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 Beware of...
distortion
slanting
quoting out of context

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 Tips... (ii)

Avoid emotional appeals (CF 25 b, Writing Academic English)

Strive for the logical appeal

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 Premise 1: All men are mortal.

Premise 2: Socrates is a man.

Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is a man.

(Aristotle’s famous local sequence: the “syllogism”)

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 Sample Structure: The 5 Paragraph
Argumentative Essay
1 introductory paragraph
3 evidentiary body paragraphs
that (may) include discussion of
opposing views
1 concluding paragraph

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 Checklist
Choose a valid topic
State your thesis clearly
Identify reasons for asserting your thesis
Substantiate your main points with compelling evidence
Address the opposing argument(s)
Cite all sources

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 Look for features that obscure
clarity or weaken your credibility

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 Sample Topics
Should the death penalty be mandatory for people that kill other people?
Should the rain forests’ destruction be prohibited? How is it possible to
protect forests?
Should all doctoral theses in Sweden be written in English ?
Should snus should be outlawed by the EU?

Friday, November 27, 2009